Is Gen Z the Selfie Generation or the Climate Action Generation?

Gen Z is constantly being told it’s the generation that will finally heal the world and fix all of our problems. But what does that actually mean, and is it fair? On this episode of Four Generations Talk Climate, host (and Boomer) Dan Delurey welcomes once again environmental lawyer Heather White (Gen X) and energy economist Anna Broughel. The three are joined by a new Gen Zer, Hikaru Hayakawa, the executive director of Climate Cardinals, a youth-led organization working to make climate information accessible across languages. The group tackle what motivates young climate leaders, whether the movement has become too focused on credentials for its own good, and why not every Zoomer needs to start a nonprofit to make a difference. Along the way, they debate climate anxiety, social media activism, burnout amongst younger generations, and whether older generations need to stop asking young people to save the world and instead help lead the charge with the time they have left. Timestamps 00:00 Meet this episode’s four generations 02:30 So, is Gen Z actually doing enough? 03:50 Ways to bring young people into climate action 08:45 Climate Cardinals and breaking the language barrier 12:55 Are climate activists just the overachievers? 17:20 Climate Week, COPs and the selfie question 18:50 Gen Z pushes back: We’re the climate action generation 21:55 Values, credentials and Gen Z at work 25:45 What older generations get wrong about young people 31:20 Why young people don’t always show up 33:15 Maybe older generations should organize themselves Quotes “I would push back against the selfie generation. I think we’re also the climate action generation.” – Hikaru Hayakawa “We really need to start the conversation in climate action with the who. ‘Who are you? What do you want your legacy to be? What are your strengths in service? And how do you want to show up for others?’” – Heather White “Younger generations are looking at it like, ‘I don’t have a seat at the table. I haven’t been invited. The times suck. So I think I’m not coming.’” – Anna Broughel “I've been participating in Climate Week since they were invented. And I went to most of the COPs (Conference of the parties). I went to COP01. But I found that a lot of people, not just Gen Z, would go to COPs and it seemed to be that their major takeaway was taking a selfie in front of the sign out in front of COP21 or COP25 or whatever.” – Dan Delurey “We need to worry about our own selves, but have more of these conversations and get more people of our peers involved.” – Heather White “When we are anxious, we usually close down and just think that we’re alone in our little bubble. So getting out there and getting to events is my recipe.” – Anna Broughel “You don’t need to establish a new organization. It’s about effective changemaking, ultimately.” – Hikaru Hayakawa “If a young person is [in the room], that young person can say: ‘This is my future, my personal future.’ It’s not some older person talking about the younger generation. That would make a difference.” – Dan Delurey Learn more at climategenerations.com